Month: May 2023

1,500 UK troops join major NATO exercise in Estonia

More than 1,500 UK troops are set to train alongside thousands of personnel from NATO Alliance countries, as part of a major exercise in Estonia

  • Personnel from all three services of the UK Armed Forces are deployed in Estonia, carrying out exercises and operations as part of our commitment to NATO.
  • More than 1,500 troops have been deployed for Exercise Spring Storm, demonstrating the reinforcement of the UK-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup to Brigade-sized strength.
  • 14,000 personnel from 11 NATO countries will demonstrate interoperability in multi-domain training scenarios as part of the exercise.

More than 1,500 UK troops are set to train alongside thousands of personnel from NATO Alliance countries, as part of a major exercise in Estonia.

Exercise Spring Storm is the largest annual military exercise involving the UK-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup, comprised of both UK and French forces, with more than 14,000 personnel due to take part from 11 NATO countries.

At last year’s NATO summit, the UK committed to increase the size of its eFP commitment, with this year’s exercise marking the first time the UK has conducted a brigade-sized deployment to Estonia – involving hundreds more personnel than in previous deployments.

Spread across tough and varied Estonian terrain, ground units will be tested on realistic battlefield scenarios including trench assaults, reconnaissance missions, and light infantry tactics, moving up to armoured vehicle manoeuvres and combined arms warfare.

Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, said: “Hundreds of UK troops from across our Armed Forces will again train with personnel from eleven NATO nations, demonstrating the strength of our interoperability with partner nations and our combined commitment to the NATO Alliance.

“While the Russian Army continues their illegal invasion of Ukraine threatening stability in Europe, the UK and our allies will continue to support Ukraine and defend our shared values and freedom.”

Beyond the land-based elements of the two-week exercise, members of the RAF will carry out training exercises in reconnaissance and air-land integration, while Royal Marines Commandos will also carry out a beach assault exercise to test the UK’s maritime strike capability.

The eFP provides a continuous NATO presence along its eastern border, with deployed troops acting as a deterrence against any aggression towards the Alliance’s borders. Recent actions carried out as part of the UK-led eFP include air intercepts of Russian aircraft by RAF fighter jets.

Personnel from the British Army’s 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team (7LMBCT) HQ and Light Dragoons Battlegroup (LD BG) join the Queen’s Royal Hussars (QRH) for the exercise, which will include Challenger 2 tanks, Warrior and CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Jackal, CAESAR self-propelled howitzers, and other artillery pieces, including British GMLRS and US HIMARS.

Supporting air-based exercises will be four Wildcat and five Apache helicopters, as well as three RAF Typhoon fighter jets.

The Queen’s Royal Hussars Commanding Officer Lt Col Steve Wilson said: “The eFP is looking forward to the opportunities provided by Exercise Spring Storm. The chance to train over the terrain we might need to defend adds to the gravitas of the exercise.

“Our Battlegroup is fully integrated with 1st Estonian Brigade and brings a highly trained and capable UK and French troops to the field. We will be bringing a wide range of hard-hitting capabilities from Main Battle Tanks (MBT), anti-tank, and artillery to snipers, mortars, engineers and tactical air controllers.

“We look forward to demonstrating the capabilities and resolve of the NATO alliance over the coming days.”

The exercise is conducted in a peer-on-peer format, allowing the reconnaissance capabilities of the LD Battlegroup to be tested against the heavy armour of the QRH Battlegroup, and vice versa.

Video portrait of renowned human rights activist Sir Geoff Palmer enters the national collection

National Galleries of Scotland is delighted to have acquired a fascinating portrait of renowned human rights activist and scientist, Professor Sir Geoff Palmer, created by Scottish artist, Graham Fagen.

The contemporary video portrait is available to view for free at the Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh. Filmed in the building’s impressive Great Hall, the portrait is now on display in the ambulatory. In the compelling 19-minute video, Graham Fagen truly captures Sir Geoff’s story and spirit.  

Artist Fagen was inspired by Sir Geoff, after seeing and hearing him speak at public events. Sir Geoff’s warmth and compassion, while expressing his life experiences and views on contemporary Scotland and its historic relationship with the transatlantic slave trade, motivated Fagen to create a contemporary portrait that captured the sitter’s essence and personality. 

In this single channel video portrait, Fagen captures Sir Geoff talking about his life, from growing up in Jamaica, to becoming an esteemed academic in Edinburgh. We are shown close ups of a bracelet adorned with the Jamaican flag, which Sir Geoff wears proudly on his wrist showing his connection to his homeland.  

Fagen’s portrait breaks the boundaries of what we think of as traditional portraiture. He wanted to show how Sir Geoff can command our attention with his humility and consideration as he engages us in a brutal history with harsh truths.

Sir Geoff’s research experience as a life scientist enables him to evidence, in a matter-of-fact way, the truths of the history that connects Jamaica, the country of his birth, with Scotland, the country of his home, via the experience of the Windrush generation. By working in collaboration with Sir Geoff, Fagen has made a work that expands our perceptions and offers new thought and knowledge on the complexities of portraiture. 

From seeing and hearing Sir Geoff speak, Fagen wanted to capture his personality in the portrait – his voice; his autobiography, his thoughts, his hopes – as well as a likeness: his head, eyes, nose, ears and mouth. To bring the soundtrack to life Fagen worked with reggae musician Ghetto Priest, with whom he had previously collaborated on The Slave’s Lament.  

Sir Geoff Palmer OBE is a life-long human rights activist and historian of Scotland’s relations with the Caribbean. His story is a remarkable one. After leaving Jamaica for London in 1955 aged 14, he attended school in the city, eventually continuing his studies at Leicester, Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt universities.

As a scientist, his research at the Brewing Research Foundation from 1968–77 led to the discovery of the barley abrasion process – which makes the malting process more efficient. For this research, he was awarded the American Society of Brewing Chemists Award of Distinction in 1998. In 1989, Sir Geoff became the first Black university professor in Scotland.

He is the author of a critically acclaimed book, The Enlightenment Abolished: Citizens of Britishness, in which he argues for maintaining but reinterpreting public monuments associated with the transatlantic slave trade.  

Graham Fagen is one of the UK’s foremost contemporary artists. In video, performance, photography, sculpture and text, he creates works which explore how national and personal identity is created by, and is a response to, one’s cultural contexts. 

Although his works draw on varied references and embrace all manner of materials and media, they all, in some way, touch on the role of society, history and cultural turning points in the lives of both individuals and communities.

Whether made for a gallery or in the public realm, Fagen’s works are frequently developed over time, involving the collaboration and participation of others. Fagen’s points of departure include the history and effect of the transatlantic slave trade, the cultural influences of music, nature and the symbolic power of flowers, urban planning and regeneration.

Born in Glasgow, Fagen studied Sculpture at Glasgow School of Art from 1984-88, followed by Art and Architecture at Kent Institute of Art & Design from 1989-90. Alongside his own work, he is a Professor of Fine Art at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design.  

Exhibiting this portrait will enable a public sharing of the history, legacy and humanity of Sir Geoff’s human rights work. It will stand as a valuable marker and evidence of the contemporary relevance of the shared history between Scotland and the Caribbean.  

Graham Fagen said: “I was extremely honoured to work with Sir Geoff in order to make an artwork that shares his life and work.

“Geoff’s life is one that has profoundly influenced and shaped the world we live in today.” 

Professor Sir Geoff Palmer said: “We cannot change the past but we can change consequences such as racism for the better using education.

“I hope my portrait can help bring awareness to these matters.” 

Sir John Leighton, Director-General of National Galleries of Scotland said: “We are proud to display Graham’s wonderfully moving portrait of Sir Geoff Palmer.

“This work recognises Sir Geoff’s many achievements and is an important acquisition that we are delighted to welcome into Scotland’s national collection.” 

Pictures: NEIL HANNA

Get shoogling for Bookbug Week!

Bookbug Week is taking place this week (15–21 May), encouraging little ones and their families to dance to their favourite songs and rhymes and then cosy up with a story.

This year’s theme is Bookbug’s Big Shoogle and the week will focus on the benefits of movement and dance for early years development.

Dance and movement are not only fun for little ones, but play an important role in their development. Movement helps young children to build strength and mobility. The tactile elements of many songs and rhymes help them to learn about different parts of their body.

Bookbug is a national programme run by Scottish Book Trust, a charity changing lives with reading and writing. All children in Scotland receive four Bookbug Bags full of books and activities between their birth and first year of school.

Families can also share songs and rhymes in fun Bookbug Sessions in local libraries and community groups and through the Bookbug app. The Scottish Government has been supporting Bookbug since 2010.

This year’s Bookbug Week celebrations will include a partnership with BBC Tiny Happy People, a free-to-use website with fun activity ideas to help support 0–4-year-olds’ speech, language, and communication development.

They will be adding some brilliant activity idea films to the Bookbug app for one week only, which highlight the importance of parents and carers talking to their little ones as early as possible. BBC Tiny Happy People will also be joining Glasgow Life at the Mitchell Library on Wednesday 17 May for a day of Bookbug Sessions and fun activity events for families.

Popular children’s entertainers Sprog Rock will be premiering their brand-new music video, featuring children from Forbes Nursery in Leith, on Tuesday 16 May. Also online, Scottish Book Trust is running a competition to win a special selection of 10 books, a musical instrument kit and a space hopper.

There are Bookbug Sessions taking place across the country, with some local authorities putting on extra activities: Aberdeen libraries will be setting up shaker-making stations, science educators Mini Professors will be running sessions in Fife libraries about sound waves, and little ones in South Ayrshire can practice their fine motor skills through robotics app Osmo in their local libraries.

Children and Young People Minister Natalie Don said: ‘I am very excited for this year’s Bookbug Week and their special Bookbug’s Big Shoogle theme.

“Initiatives like this can help encourage an early love of books among children in addition to providing great opportunities for parents and their wee ones to spend time together whilst having fun and learning.

‘Both reading and being active have multiple benefits for children, including supporting positive mental and physical health, relationships and improved attainment.

‘I’m delighted that the Scottish Government are able to provide increased funding for 2023/24 of £1.8 million for the continuation of the Bookbug programme.’

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “We’re excited to share Bookbug’s Big Shoogle with families across Scotland this year, celebrating the benefits of movement and dance.

“Our thanks to Emma Melchor for designing this year’s brilliant Bookbug Week illustration.’

Locally Bookbug sessions are on Tuesday at Granton Library at 11am or Pilton Neighbourhood Centre at 10.30, and on Friday at Granton Library at 11am or Muirhouse Millenium Centre at 10.30 am!

Check out the libraries facebook pages for more details. 🙂

Anxiety is the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK: 15 – 21 MAY 2023

Anxiety is a normal emotion in us all, but sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem.

Lots of things can lead to feelings of anxiety, including exam pressures, relationships, starting a new job (or losing one) or other big life events. We can also get anxious when it comes to things to do with money and not being able to meet our basic needs, like heating our home or buying food. But anxiety can be made easier to manage.

Focusing on anxiety for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week will increase people’s awareness and understanding of anxiety by providing information on the things that can help prevent it from becoming a problem.

At the same time, we will keep up the pressure to demand change – making sure that improving mental health is a key priority for the government and society as a whole.

Mental Health Foundation’s Alexa Knight said: “I was thrilled to join the Mental Health Foundation earlier this year, having worked in health policy all my life. Many of us have struggled with our mental health in recent years, and it feels like there’s never been a more important time to support and protect our mental well-being.

“The Mental Health Foundation’s approach – preventing mental health problems before they happen and supporting everyone to thrive – really resonates with me. And the icing on the cake is being part of Mental Health Awareness Week! I have joined in with Mental Health Awareness Week for many years and am delighted to now be part of making it happen.

“This year for Mental Health Awareness Week we are focusing on anxiety. We all feel anxious from time to time.

“Anxiety is a natural response to the uncertain world around us. For example, in the current cost-of-living crisis, more than a third of adults feel anxious about their financial situation. But it’s important that we recognise and respond when we feel anxious, so that our anxiety doesn’t become overwhelming.”

MHF-Scotland-Uncertain-times-Anxiety-in-the-UK-and-how-to-tackle-it-MHAW-2023-reportDownload
MHF-wear-it-green-day-2023-anxiety-bookletDownload

Royal Highland Show invites exhibitors to showcase in new Agri-Demo Arena

The Royal Highland Show is calling for applications to feature in its ‘Agri-Demo Arena’, a new addition to the showground this year.   

The Agri-Demo Arena will be a platform for showcasing the innovative machinery and technology that is shaping the future of agriculture. 

The arena will be a hub for the Show’s agricultural zone, the space will feature an outdoor demonstration arena and indoor marquee. Slots are free to apply for, and businesses can choose to host either a product demonstration or an industry talk. 

The Agri-Demo Arena will also be home to the winners of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) Technical Innovation Awards. 

 Earlier this week, the Royal Highland Show opened applications to businesses already exhibiting at the Show or that have entered the Technical Innovation Awards. Applications must fit into one of the following categories: Machines; Appliances; Technical Components; or Important Ancillary Equipment.  

The new arena has received a strong number of applications from a wide variety of companies already, providing a positive start for this new and exciting element of the Royal Highland Show. 

Applications have been sent to exhibitors, if you have not received the communication or are interested in applying please email the trade stand team at tradestands@rhass.org.uk. 

RHASS Chief Steward of Technical Innovation, Christo Shepherd, said: “We are delighted to be shining a spotlight on those companies at the forefront of agricultural innovation this year with our new Agri-Demo Arena. As part of the RHASS mission to support and promote agriculture, this area will bring attention to the exciting products that are shaping the future of our sector. 

“I would encourage our exhibitors to apply and have their products front and centre on the global stage that is the Royal Highland Show.” 

Sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Royal Highland Show will take place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, on 22-25 June 2023. 

Tickets, including car parking, must be pre-purchased online, with no tickets available to buy on the gate.

Tickets are limited in number and with Friday and Saturday selling out in 2022, it is advised to purchase early, especially with the new addition of the Royal Highland Hoolie music event on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th this year.  

For further information and to purchase tickets please visit:

www.royalhighlandshow.org. 

‘World Class Heritage, Second Class Pay’

Following a drop-in session hosted by Prospect at the Scottish Parliament about their ‘World Class Heritage on Second Class Pay’ campaign on Friday, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “As Labour’s Spokesperson for Culture, it was great to sponsor ‘The Perfect Storm: A Crisis in Heritage’ drop-in event organised by Prospect regarding its ‘World Class Heritage, Second Class Pay’ campaign. 

“Scotland’s Heritage sites are well loved by international visitors and locals alike and they benefit our economy greatly. 

“We all know that the culture sector has been hit hard in this cost-of-living crisis and has received little attention from the Scottish Government. 

“I have raised awareness of this before, for example, with the closure of Edinburgh Filmhouse, which I hope will be restored in the future. 

“However, Scotland and the UK cannot afford losing yet again more of its unique culture. 

“It is indeed a perfect storm where our World Class Heritage and its workforce in Scotland and across the UK have long been devalued and are now in jeopardy due to the cost-of-living crisis. 

“Our new generation of potential conservationists, archaeologists, curators and other specialists are also suffering; new trainees cannot even afford their rents.  

“Better pay will mean that our young people can aspire to have a stable career in Heritage. 

“It is time to fully recognise how our important Heritage workforce contributes to our local communities, our nations and across the world. 

“The matter of funding of Heritage sites is something that I have brought to the Scottish Government’s attention before, when I spoke about Historic Environment Scotland in the chamber.  

“I will work to pressure the Scottish Government to secure a better deal for our Heritage workers and preserve our fantastic Heritage sector.” 

Capital bars team up for Maker’s Mark ‘Remarkable Neighbourhood’ Initiative 

Maker’s Mark, the handmade bourbon from Kentucky, has teamed up with Edinburgh’s finest bars and artisan producer Scottish Bee Company, to celebrate Maker’s Remarkable Neighbourhood Initiative for the first time in Scotland.

You can enjoy limited edition drinks on a new bourbon cocktail trail across Leith until May 31st. 

Three Edinburgh bars, Nauticus, Mother Superior and Innis and Gunn, have created their twist on a Maker’s Mark’s ‘Gold Rush’ cocktail made with honey syrup, lemon, and Maker’s Mark bourbon.

The brand’s signature serve has been chosen for cocktail lovers to enjoy and, as a delicious option for those who might not have tried bourbon before, for its smooth and well–balanced flavours.

Imaginative drinks from Edinburgh’s top bartenders are available exclusively on curated menus in each bar until the end of the month and feature homegrown honey by Scottish Bee Company to enhance the bold flavours of Maker’s Mark bourbon.

Menu highlights in venues include a refreshing Fools Gold at Nauticus with Maker’s Mark, Edinburgh Honey Co, ginger, rooibos tea, fresh grapefruit and lime. Or try a smoky Maker Break cocktail at Mother Superior, expertly mixed with Maker’s Mark, Laphroaig 10yr Old, lemon and honey syrup. 

The Remarkable Neighbourhood Initiative takes place in May throughout the UK across Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh, with 18 of the UK’s best bars and restaurants part of the exciting programme of craft cocktails and events. 

All are designed to explore iconic bourbon cocktails whilst celebrating local communities and neighbourhoods. Bars have been selected for their superior quality and sustainable practice, and partnerships with local, artisan honey producers will occur in each city, paying homage to Maker’s Mark recent B – Corp certification. 

Handcrafted in small batches, Maker’s Mark bourbon is crafted with precision and care to create a smooth yet full flavoured bourbon whiskey. Their production process includes rotating each barrel by hand and hand dipping each bottle at their distillery in Loretto, Kentucky in order to create the best-tasting Bourbon whiskey. 

Edinburgh: Remarkable Neighbourhood – Edinburgh: Leith

  • Mother Superior Book your table by calling 0131 554 5280
  • Nauticus Book your table here
  • Innis & Gunn Taproom Book your table here

Celebrate your local neighbourhood in style this May. MAKER’S MARK Remarkable Neighbourhood runs until May 31st across Leith in Edinburgh. For more information, visit https://www.makersmark.com/uk 

Follow MAKER’S MARK on social here

Another rate rise and what is going on with the fiscal framework review?

FRASER OF ALLANDER WEEKLY UPDATE

The big economic news this week was undoubtedly the 12th consecutive rate rise from the Bank of England (writes Fraser of Allander Institute’s MAIRI SPOWAGE). The Bank have done this to continue to bear down on stubbornly high inflation, which is still in double figures at 10.1% (latest data for March).

The Bank’s outlook for the UK economy has improved considerably since their last set of forecasts were published in February. Broadly in line with the Office for Budget Responsibility, they now think that the UK economy will overall be flat in the first half of 2023 before returning to growth in the second half of the year.

The Bank are forecasting 0.7% growth in 2023, followed by 0.8% growth in 2024. It is worth highlighting though that this figure for 2024 is pretty anaemic, and below the current forecast from the OBR for the same period.

The Bank’s expectations are still for inflation to fall sharply from April, in part as the high price levels from a year ago come into the comparison. The next data are out on 24th May: let’s see if the economists are correct this time, as to be fair we’ve all been expecting the rate to fall below 10% for some months now.UK

Economy grows in Q1

Today, we got data from the ONS that confirms that the UK economy grew during the first quarter of the year, albeit by only 0.1%. That is balanced out with the news from the monthly data that there was a contraction during March, with wholesale and retail contributing the most to this contraction. This could suggest that the wider economic conditions are starting to bite on consumers, so it will be interesting to see how this is reflected in next month’s data.

Reports about talks about talks

Officials from the Scottish Government and HMRC were at the Public Audit Committee this week to give evidence about the administration of Scottish Income Tax. This session, as one may expect from the Public Audit Committee, was on the technical details of the collection of the tax (which, while partially devolved, is collected by HMRC rather than Revenue Scotland) and also the audit arrangements for the tax collection.

There were some interesting nuggets in there from a tax policy perspective. There was the view of the Scottish Government on the reasons for Scottish Income tax lagging behind the rest of the UK: mainly laid at the feet of the decline in oil and gas jobs: but there didn’t seem to be much clarity on whether we would ever be able to analyse whether this was actually the case.

We also heard that the fiscal framework review has moved “back into an active space”. For those who are after a recap of what on earth this is all about, see our blog in late 2021.

Slightly depressingly, as the PAC Convener Richard Leonard characterised it, this review is currently in the status of “talks about talks”. It is still very unclear when this may be concluded (or even start). Hopefully, we’ll see some news about this from both Governments soon.

New Every Mind Matters campaign encourages public to get physical

Celebrities and medical experts including comedian Tom Davis, Dr Ranj Singh and Dr Linda Papadopoulos support new UK government campaign to boost mental health

Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week (15 – 22 May), Better Health – Every Mind Matters from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities is launching a new campaign backed by BAFTA award-winning comedian, Tom Davis, TV and NHS doctor, Dr Ranj Singh, and leading psychologist, Dr Linda Papadopoulos, to encourage the nation to make the first move for their mental health and get active.

New research released today has revealed that three quarters (75%) of adults surveyed report feeling anxious, but less than half (45%) are aware that physical activity is proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety.

The campaign is the latest action taken by government to improve people’s mental health. The government is already increasing investment in mental health services by at least £2.3 billion a year by March 2024 so that an additional two million people can get the support they need.

Last year, the draft Mental Health Bill was published, intended to modernise the Mental Health Act so that it’s fit for the 21st century and better supports people with serious mental illness, and the government has committed to publishing a Major Conditions Strategy to tackle conditions that contribute most to morbidity and mortality across the population in England, including mental ill health.

For Mental Health Awareness Week, BAFTA award-winning comedian and actor, Tom Davis, has opened up about his own mental health alongside NHS and TV doctor, Dr Ranj Singh, in support of the Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign. In a new film released today, the pair discuss how they deal with anxious thoughts and call on the nation to make the first move for their mental health by getting active.

https://youtu.be/yV-ZUPgt9Kc

Comedian and Actor, Tom Davis, comments: “Anxiety is no laughing matter. I’ve had a colourful career, from working on building sites, to the shop floor, to being a comedian in front of thousands, and I’ve struggled with anxiety in every role.

“There’s a big difference, though, to being outside your comfort zone versus feeling overwhelmed by it and letting your anxious thoughts hold you back. And being active for just a few minutes each day can make a huge difference.

“It’s important to find something that you enjoy and do it regularly. I love boxing and try to go often, but even taking my daughter to the park can really clear my head and help to keep those anxious jitters at bay.

NHS and TV doctor, Dr Ranj Singh, has also shared his tips on how to ease anxiety (see NTEs) and advice on how the public can start getting active for their mental health: “Anxiety is part of everyday life, and it can help us focus or take extra care when needed, but when it gets too much, it can have a really big impact on how we want to live our lives.

“Physical activity is one of the simplest, but most effective, things we can do to help alleviate anxious feelings, calm racing thoughts, and give us something to distract from negative thinking.

“Regular physical activity is best, but even a few minutes each day can help. I personally love dancing because some good music instantly lifts my mood!”

New research among 2,000 adults in England has revealed around four in 10 report having trouble sleeping (38%), feeling less confident (37%) and having less energy due to anxiety (35%).

For just under a quarter (24%), anxiety has stopped them from attending social events and almost one in 10 admit it’s even impacted their relationship, as they spend less time with their partner (8%).

Physical activity releases feel good hormones and improves mental health but, according to the new research, less than half of adults are aware that it’s proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety (45%), reduce stress (45%) and distract from negative thoughts (42%). Four in 10 adults are not doing the NHS recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week.

The research revealed that over a third (35%) of adults tend to use distraction techniques to relieve feelings of anxiety, including watching TV (47%), browsing the internet (36%) or even isolating themselves from others (33%). However, those who do regular physical activity report that it helps to boost their mood (68%), confidence (61%) and relieve anxious feelings (61%).

With almost one in five not doing any form of physical activity (19%), the research also revealed that not feeling motivated (41%), not enjoying physical activity (25%), and not having enough free time (19%) were the top barriers to getting active. Only 13% of us are aware of the NHS recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week.

Leading psychologist, Dr Linda Papadopoulos commented: “People are often surprised to know the benefits that just a few minutes of movement can have on our mind; you don’t need to do a full body workout to reap the rewards.

“Being active increases feel good hormones, like endorphins, and can boost confidence. I always recommend getting outside for a brisk walk or gentle jog because being in nature can help us feel happier and more relaxed. And the best bit is it’s free!

Minister for Mental Health, Maria Caulfield, said: “We know poor mental health can significantly impact our quality of life, so I’m pleased to see this campaign highlighting the simple steps we can all take to reduce its impact – such as spotting and addressing the signs of anxiety early on.

“But we know sometimes more support is needed, and that’s why we’re currently investing £2.3 billion every year to expand and transform mental health services in England so that two million more people will be able to get the mental health support they need.”

Delivered by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, the Better Health–Every Mind Matters campaign offers NHS-approved tips and advice to help people manage their anxiety, including links to free NHS apps, such as Couch to 5K and Active 10, that will help them make the first move.

The Better Health – Every Mind Matters website also gives people the opportunity to sign up to anxiety-easing emails, offering expert advice to help them stay on top of their mental wellbeing and show them how to make these new steps part of their routine.

Social media:

#everymindmatters

#moveforyourmentalhealth

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

#MHAW / @NHS

Scots looking after their mental health can also find support at NHS inform’s Mind to Mind | NHS inform

Share you views on 20-Minute Neighbourhoods in Niddrie and Craigmillar

Residents and visitors to Craigmillar and Niddrie are being invited to share their views on improving the look and feel of Niddrie Mains Road and its ‘high street’.

This is the latest project within Edinburgh’s 20-Minute Neighbourhood strategy, which seeks to deliver better community-focussed places where everyone can meet most of their daily needs within a short walk, wheel or cycle from their home.

A community coffee morning with play activities available for younger children, was held yesterday (Saturday 13th May) at Greengables Family Centre, where people had have the opportunity to discuss the projects in more detail, share feedback and ask questions.

People can also share their thoughts either online or in person at Craigmillar Library. The online survey is available until 7th July. Paper copies of the survey and feedback cards are available to fill in and submit by the community board at Craigmillar Library.

Plans for the local area also include proposals for a new primary school in Greendykes. This project brings exciting opportunities to explore ways the new school can provide extra use and community benefits for the local area. A specific survey for the proposed new Greendykes Primary School is also open, where people can give views on the location of the new school and potential for the wider community.

Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener, said: “Our 20-minute neighbourhood strategy is about working together to make the local area better at serving the daily needs of the local community and businesses.

“Schools are a key part of this and we want them to be at heart of their local communities. Projects like the proposed new primary school in Greendykes provide the opportunity to rethink how community facilities can provide wider use and benefits for everyone to live well locally.

“Our high streets and local centres are also places that bring people together and provide excellent opportunities to live, work and spend time. Craigmillar has benefitted from some fantastic regeneration in recent years, but the High Street still has a lot of potential to become a more vibrant, attractive and inclusive space for everyone.

“We are calling for local people and businesses to share their views so we can develop a plan for school provision in the area, improved public spaces and to encourage people to access the high street, local facilities and greenspaces by active and sustainable travel.”

Michael Melton, Grant Manager for Sustrans, said: “Creating safe and accessible routes to schools and businesses is a core part of what we do, and is at the heart of the plans to further regenerate the Craigmillar area.

This exciting project will not only tailor convenient walking, wheeling and cycling options to the needs of the local area, but will also help develop the Niddrie High Street into a more relaxed and attractive setting for residents to socialise and spend time in.   

“We strongly encourage everyone living and working in the area to share their views on the plans for the area to help ensure the project is as successful as possible.

The surveys are an initial opportunity for people to give their views. It will inform the development of an initial plan for school provision in the local area, and for encouraging people to access an improved high street, local facilities and greenspaces by active and sustainable travel. The Council will continue to work with the local community and businesses as this develops.

The 20-Minute Neighbourhood strategy was launched in June 2021. Its vision is to enable a net zero Edinburgh where everyone can live well locally.

The city needs this level of ambition to achieve a significant shift towards sustainable transport. Increased walking, wheeling cycling and using public transport can all help to cut congestion and reduce emissions.  It will help to create more social, inclusive and accessible places. This will also support physical and mental wellbeing and help to end poverty in Edinburgh.

The City of Edinburgh Council has been awarded Places for Everyone funding to develop a concept design for an improved high street in Craigmillar. Places for Everyone is an active travel infrastructure fund backed by the Scottish Government and administered by Sustrans. The Places for Everyone programme provides support and expertise to help deliver walking, wheeling, and cycling improvements across the country.